US9456873B2 - System and method for performing surgical procedures with a reusable instrument module - Google Patents

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes an outer housing shell defining a cavity. The outer housing shell defines an upper outer housing half and a lower outer housing half. The upper outer housing half defines a longitudinal axis. An instrument module is selectively insertable into the cavity of the outer housing shell. The instrument module includes an inner housing shell, at least one motor disposed within the inner housing shell, a control board being in electrical communication with the at least one motor, and an energy source being in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the control board. The instrument module is inserted into the cavity of the outer housing shell in such a manner that the operative axis of the at least one motor is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper outer housing half.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/551,321, filed Nov. 24, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,155,529), which is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/719,344 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,894,647), filed on Dec. 19, 2012, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/586,201, filed on Jan. 13, 2012, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein.

The present application relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/719,377, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING SURGICAL PROCEDURES WITH A REUSABLE INSTRUMENT MODULE, filed Dec. 19, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,241,757), the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of reposable or reusable surgical instruments. In particular, the disclosure relates to instruments having separable and replaceable components to provide clean, sterile or refurbished surfaces in each instance of use.

2. Background of Related Art

One type of surgical device is a linear clamping, cutting and stapling device. Such a device may be employed in a surgical procedure to resect a cancerous or anomalous tissue from a gastro-intestinal tract. Conventional linear clamping, cutting and stapling instruments include a pistol grip-styled structure having an elongated shaft and distal portion. The distal portion includes a pair of scissors-styled gripping elements, which clamp the open ends of the colon closed. In this device, one of the two scissors-styled gripping elements, such as the anvil portion, moves or pivots relative to the overall structure, whereas the other gripping element remains fixed relative to the overall structure. The actuation of this scissoring device (the pivoting of the anvil portion) is controlled by a grip trigger maintained in the handle.

In addition to the scissoring device, the distal portion also includes a stapling mechanism. The fixed gripping element of the scissoring mechanism includes a staple cartridge receiving region and a mechanism for driving the staples up through the clamped end of the tissue against the anvil portion, thereby sealing the previously opened end. The scissoring elements may be integrally formed with the shaft or may be detachable such that various scissoring and stapling elements may be interchangeable.

A number of surgical device manufacturers have developed product lines with proprietary drive systems for operating and/or manipulating such surgical device. In many instances, such surgical device further includes a handle assembly, which is reusable, and a disposable end effector or the like that is selectively connected to the handle assembly prior to use and then disconnected from the end effector following use in order to be disposed of or in some instances sterilized for re-use.

Surgical devices that are reposable, or reusable for multiple procedures, reduce the instrumentation costs per procedure. Providing a reusable surgical device, however, presents various challenges. For example, the complexity of a surgical device tends to result in fairly labor intensive cleaning procedures to prepare the surgical device for subsequent use. Improper cleaning may result in dangerous contamination being introduced into the surgical site. Also, some reusable surgical devices have removable and replaceable components to provide clean surfaces for each use. Many of these surgical devices require arduous disassembly and reassembly procedures that require extensive training, and may discourage use of the surgical device.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument includes an outer housing shell defining a cavity, the outer housing shell defining an upper outer housing half and a lower outer housing half, wherein the upper outer housing half defines a longitudinal axis and an instrument module selectively insertable into the cavity of the outer housing shell. The instrument module includes an inner housing shell, at least one motor disposed within the inner housing shell, the at least one motor including a drive shaft defining an operative axis of rotation, a control board disposed within the inner housing and being in electrical communication with the at least one motor and an energy source disposed within the inner housing and being in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the control board. The instrument module is inserted into the cavity of the outer housing shell in such a manner that the operative axis of the at least one motor is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper outer housing half.

Additionally, the outer housing shell may be devoid of movable switches.

In an exemplary embodiment, the upper outer housing half and the lower outer housing half combine to form a pistol-grip configuration.

The outer housing shell may be at least partially translucent or at least partially transparent.

In another exemplary embodiment, the upper outer housing half includes at least one speaker for providing feedback information related to tissue parameters and surgical instrument parameters measured during a surgical procedure.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the upper outer housing half includes at least one viewing window for viewing a display screen disposed therein displaying information related to tissue parameters and surgical instrument parameters measured during a surgical procedure. The display screen includes at least one of numerical indicators and color indicators.

Moreover, the control board electrically communicates with at least one processor for enabling flow of electrosurgical energy between the energy source and the at least one motor.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the lower outer housing half includes an instrument shell cover hingedly connected thereto, the instrument shell cover configured to swivel into place after the instrument module is inserted into the cavity of the outer housing shell. Alternatively, an instrument shell cover is attached to at least a portion of the lower outer housing half, such that the upper and lower outer housing halves attach to the instrument shell cover to form a secure connection.

The outer housing shell may define at least one opening formed in a distal surface thereof for receiving the drive shaft therethrough when the instrument module is fully disposed in the outer housing shell.

A seal may be supported in the opening formed in the distal surface of the outer housing shell, wherein the seal forms a fluid-tight seal between the outer housing shell and the drive shaft.

The instrument module may include a plurality of motors each including a drive shaft extending therefrom. The outer housing shell may define a plurality of openings formed in a distal surface thereof for receiving a respective drive shaft therethrough when the instrument module is fully disposed in the outer housing shell. A seal may be supported in each opening formed in the distal surface of the outer housing shell, wherein each seal forms a fluid-tight seal between the outer housing shell and the respective drive shaft.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of performing a surgical procedure is presented. The method includes the steps of providing an outer housing shell defining a cavity, the outer housing shell defining an upper outer housing half and a lower outer housing half, wherein the upper outer housing half defines a longitudinal axis and selectively inserting an instrument module into the cavity of the outer housing shell. The instrument module includes an inner housing shell, at least one motor disposed within the inner housing shell, the at least one motor including a drive shaft defining an operative axis of rotation, a control board disposed within the inner housing and being in electrical communication with the at least one motor and an energy source disposed within the inner housing and being in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the control board. The instrument module is inserted into the cavity of the outer housing shell in such a manner that the operative axis of the at least one motor is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper outer housing half.

The outer housing shell may be at least partially translucent or at least partially transparent.

The outer housing shell may define at least one opening formed in a distal surface thereof for receiving the drive shaft therethrough when the instrument module is fully disposed in the outer housing shell.

A seal may be supported in the opening formed in the distal surface of the outer housing shell, wherein the seal forms a fluid-tight seal between the outer housing shell and the drive shaft.

The instrument module may include a plurality of motors each including a drive shaft extending therefrom. The outer housing shell may define a plurality of openings formed in a distal surface thereof for receiving a respective drive shaft therethrough when the instrument module is fully disposed in the outer housing shell. A seal may be supported in each opening formed in the distal surface of the outer housing shell, wherein each seal forms a fluid-tight seal between the outer housing shell and the respective drive shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with a general description of the disclosure given above, and the detailed description of the embodiment(s) given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure, wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate perspective views of a reusable surgical instrument module, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a reusable surgical instrument module inserted into an outer housing shell having a hinged instrument cover shell, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a reusable surgical instrument module inserted into an outer housing shell having a snapable instrument cover shell, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, schematic, longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the reusable surgical instrument module inserted into the outer housing shell, and showing seals disposed about drive shafts of the reusable surgical instrument module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the presently disclosed apparatus will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to that portion of the tool, or component thereof which is further from the user while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the tool or component thereof which is closer to the user.

Referring toFIGS. 1A and 1B, perspective views of a reusablesurgical instrument module110 are illustrated, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Instrument module110 defines an upperinstrument module half110A and a lowerinstrument module half110B, upperinstrument module half110A defining a longitudinal axis “B.”Instrument module110 also includes aninner housing shell111 for incorporating a plurality of components therein, as described below.

Upperinstrument module half110A includes at least onemotor140, as well as adisplay screen160. At least onemotor140 is disposed withininner housing shell111. Adistal end102 of upperinstrument module half110A is configured to receive an end effector assembly (not shown). End effector assembly may be at least one of jaw members, a clip applier, vessel sealing devices, circular stapling devices, dissectors, retractors, cutters, graspers, and drills.

Lowerinstrument module half110B includes a battery120 (or energy source) and at least onecontrol board130.Battery120 and at least onecontrol board130 are disposed withininner housing shell111. Lowerinstrument module half110B is configured to be gripped by a user, such as surgeon, during a surgical procedure. Additionally, upperinstrument module half110A and lowerinstrument module half110B may combine to form a substantially L-shaped or pistol-grip configuration.

At least onecontrol board130 is connected, on the one hand, electrically tobattery120, and, on the other hand, to at least onemotor140. To this end, electric contacts (not shown) are provided on an upper side ofbattery120 for establishing an electric connection with at least onecontrol board130. Additionally, at least onecontrol board130 electrically communicates with at least one processor (not shown) for enabling flow of electrosurgical energy between the energy source (e.g., battery120) and eachmotor140.

Eachmotor140 is configured to include, for instance, adrive shaft142. Driveshaft142 defines an operative axis of rotation “B.” Eachmotor140 is configured to actuate a function or operation of an end effector assembly (not shown), including but not limited to, articulating, rotating, closing of the jaw members, ejecting fasteners, cutting, and the like.

Instrument module110 may include a speaker150 (seeFIG. 1B), at aproximal end104 thereof, for providing feedback information related to tissue parameters and surgical instrument parameters measured during a surgical procedure.Speaker150 may be used to provide audible feedback. Audible feedback may be used in conjunction with or in lieu of the visual outputs.

Instrument module110 may includedisplay screen160 disposed therein displaying information related to tissue parameters and surgical instrument parameters measured during a surgical procedure.Display screen160 may be configured to provide the surgeon with a variety of suitable output information.Display screen160 may include at least one of numerical indicators and color indicators.

Instrument module110 may also include aclamp button170 and areturn button180.Clamp button170 may be configured to actuate an end effector assembly (not shown) connected todistal end102 ofinstrument module110 to a first position. End effector assembly may be a pair of jaw members for clamping tissue in the first position.Return button180 may be configured to return the jaw members to an open, unclamped position (or second position).

Referring toFIG. 2, a method of inserting a reusablesurgical instrument module110 into anouter housing shell280 having a hingedinstrument cover shell290, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is presented.

Outer housing shell280 defines acavity282 therein.Outer housing shell280 defines an upperouter housing half280A and a lowerouter housing half280B. Upperouter housing half280A defines a longitudinal axis “A” extending therethrough.Outer housing shell280 also includesinstrument shell cover290 connected to lowerouter housing half280B via a hingedconnection292.Instrument shell cover290 may rotate or pivot in direction “C” afterinstrument module110 has been fully inserted intoouter housing shell280, as described below. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure,outer housing shell280 may be devoid of movable switches.

In operation or use,instrument module110 is inserted intocavity282 ofouter housing shell280 in such a manner that operative axis “B” of at least onemotor140 is substantially parallel to longitudinal axis “A” of upperouter housing half280A. Stated differently,instrument module110 is configured to be inserted into reusableouter housing shell280, such thatinstrument module110 is inserted and extracted along an axis of operation of at least onemotor140 or along longitudinal axis “B.” Upperinstrument module half110A is configured to underlie or nest upperouter housing half280A, whereas lowerinstrument module half110B is configured to underlie or nest lowerouter housing half280B. Onceinstrument shell110 is fully inserted intoouter housing shell280,instrument shell cover290 is rotated, in direction “C,” in order to create a secure seal withouter housing shell280.

Following a surgical procedure,instrument shell cover290 is opened andinstrument module110 is withdrawn from or removed fromcavity282 ofouter housing shell280 such thatouter housing shell280 andshell cover290 may be cleaned in accordance with methods and procedures known in the art, for example, sterilizing, autoclaving, steam cleaning, wiping with cleaning products/solvents and the like. Thus,outer housing shell280 andshell cover290 may be cleaned or sterilized without compromisinginstrument module110 inserted therein. Once cleaning or sterilization has been completed,instrument module110 may be re-introduced intocavity282 ofouter housing shell280 prior to performing a further surgical procedure.

Referring toFIG. 3, a method of inserting a reusablesurgical instrument module110 into anouter housing shell380 having a snapableinstrument cover shell390, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

Outer housing shell380 defines acavity382 therein.Outer housing shell380 defines an upperouter housing half380A and a lowerouter housing half380B. Upperouter housing half380A defines a longitudinal axis “D” extending therethrough. Lowerouter housing half380B ofouter housing shell380 may connect or attach toinstrument shell cover390 via, for example, a snapable mechanism including fasteners (not shown). Additionally, aclear viewing window385 may be constructed so that it overlays a display screen (e.g., as described above with reference toFIGS. 1A and 1B).Viewing window385 is designed for viewing the display screen disposed therein displaying information related to tissue parameters and surgical instrument parameters measured during a surgical procedure.

In accordance with the present disclosure, it is contemplated that outer housing shell380 (as well asouter housing shells180,280) may be fabricated from a translucent or transparent material, such as, for example, a polycarbonate resin thermoplastic. As so constructed, indicia fromdisplay screen160 ofinstrument module110 or the like. It is further contemplated that at least a portion ofouter housing shell380 may be translucent or transparent.

In operation or use,instrument module110 is inserted intocavity382 ofouter housing shell380 in such a manner that operative axis “E” of at least one motor140 (or of at least one drive shaft142) is substantially parallel to longitudinal axis “D” of upperouter housing half110A. Stated differently,instrument module110 is configured to be inserted into instrumentouter housing shell380, such thatinstrument module110 is inserted and extracted along an axis of operation of at least onemotor140, or along longitudinal axis “E.” Upperinstrument module half110A is configured to underlie or nest upperouter housing half380A, whereas lowerinstrument module half110B is configured to underlie or nest lowerouter housing half380B. Onceinstrument shell cover390 is attached to a portion of lowerouter housing half380B,instrument module110 is inserted intoouter housing shell380 such that upperouter housing half380A and the remaining portion of the lowerouter housing half380B lock or secure or seal withinstrument shell cover390 alongconnection region395.

Following a surgical procedure,instrument shell cover390 is withdrawn or unsnapped from lowerouter housing half380B (at connection region395) andinstrument module110 is withdrawn from or removed fromcavity382 ofouter housing shell380 such thatouter housing shell380 andshell cover390 may be cleaned in accordance with methods and procedures known in the art. Thus,outer housing shell380 may be cleaned or sterilized without compromisinginstrument module110 inserted therein. Once cleaning or sterilization has been completed,instrument module110 may be re-introduced intocavity382 ofouter housing shell380 prior to performing a further surgical procedure.

Turning now toFIG. 4, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is contemplated thatouter housing shell280,380 may define a plurality ofapertures150 through which each driveshaft142 passes. Aseal152 is provided in eachaperture150 and is supported therein so as to remain withouter housing shell280,380 during insertion/retraction ofinstrument module110 therein/therefrom.Seals152 may take the form of O-rings or the like, and may be constructed from a resilient, polymeric material, such as, for example, rubber.Seals152 are configured and dimensioned to establish a fluid-tight seal betweenouter housing shell280,380 and driveshafts142. Additionally, seals152 are configured and dimensioned to permitdrive shafts142 to rotate. In use, when shell covers290,390 are closed against respectiveouter housing shells280,380, a force is exerted againstinstrument module110, substantially along or in direction “B”, to thereby press a distal surface of upperinstrument module half110A againstseals152 and establish a fluid-tight seal against an outer surface ofdrive shafts142.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of presently disclosed embodiments. Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A method of assembling a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

inserting a proximal end of an instrument module into a proximal portion of an outer housing shell; and

approximating the proximal portion of the outer housing shell and a distal portion of the outer housing shell thereby engaging a mating surface of the proximal portion of the outer housing shell with a corresponding mating surface of the distal portion of the outer housing shell to enclose the instrument module in a cavity cooperatively defined by the proximal and distal portions of the outer housing shell.

2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein inserting the proximal end of the instrument module into the proximal portion of the outer housing shell includes moving the proximal end of the instrument module through an opening defined by a distally-oriented face of the proximal portion of the outer housing shell.

3. The method according toclaim 2, further comprising moving the distal end of the instrument module through an opening defined by a proximally-oriented face of the distal portion of the outer housing shell.

4. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising:

decoupling the mating surfaces of the proximal and distal portions of the outer housing shell; and

removing the instrument module from the cavity of the outer housing shell.

5. The method according toclaim 4, further comprising inserting the instrument module into the cavity of the outer housing shell subsequent to providing the outer housing shell having at least a sterilized outer surface such that the outer surface of the outer housing shell is sterile following insertion of the instrument module into the outer housing shell.

6. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising forming a fluid-tight seal between the outer housing shell and a drive shaft of the instrument module.

7. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an outer housing shell including:

a proximal portion having a face, the face of the proximal portion defining an opening therein and including a mating surface; and

a distal portion having a face, the face of the distal portion defining an opening therein and including a mating surface configured to mate with the mating surface of the proximal portion; and

an instrument module configured for receipt in a cavity cooperatively defined by the proximal and distal portions of the outer housing shell, and through at least one of the opening of the proximal portion of the outer housing shell or the opening of the distal portion of the outer housing shell.

8. The surgical instrument according toclaim 7, wherein the instrument module includes:

a proximal end configured for receipt within the proximal portion of the outer housing shell; and

a distal end configured for receipt within the distal portion of the outer housing shell.

9. The surgical instrument according toclaim 7, wherein the distal portion of the outer housing shell includes an upper portion and a lower portion extending substantially perpendicularly from the upper portion.

10. The surgical instrument according toclaim 7, wherein the outer housing shell has a first configuration, in which the instrument module is selectively insertable therein, and a second configuration, in which the mating surfaces of the proximal and distal portions of the outer housing shell are engaged to one another.

11. The surgical instrument according toclaim 10, wherein in the first configuration, the face of the proximal portion of the outer housing shell is oriented distally, and the face of the distal portion of the outer housing shell is oriented proximally.

12. The surgical instrument according toclaim 7, wherein the instrument module includes a drive shaft disposed within the distal end of the instrument module.

13. The surgical instrument according toclaim 12, wherein the outer housing shell includes a seal supported in the distal portion of the outer housing shell, the seal forming a fluid-tight seal between the outer housing shell and the drive shaft.

14. The surgical instrument according toclaim 7, wherein each of the proximal and distal portions of the outer housing shell includes an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein at least the outer surface of each of the proximal and distal portions of the outer housing shell is sterile.

15. A method of assembling a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

providing an outer housing shell including:

a proximal portion having a face, the face of the proximal portion defining an opening therein and including a mating surface; and

a distal portion having a face, the face of the distal portion defining an opening therein and including a mating surface configured to mate with the mating surface of the proximal portion;

providing an instrument module having a proximal end, and a distal end;

inserting the proximal end of the instrument module into the proximal portion of the outer housing shell; and

approximating the proximal portion of the outer housing shell and the distal portion of the outer housing shell thereby engaging the mating surface of the proximal portion of the outer housing shell with the mating surface of the distal portion of the outer housing shell to enclose the instrument module in a cavity cooperatively defined by the proximal and distal portions of the outer housing shell.

16. The method according toclaim 15, wherein inserting the proximal end of the instrument module into the proximal portion of the outer housing shell includes moving the proximal end of the instrument module through the opening defined by the face of the proximal portion of the outer housing shell.

17. The method according toclaim 16, further comprising moving the distal end of the instrument module through the opening defined by the face of the distal portion of the outer housing shell.

18. The method according toclaim 15, further comprising:

decoupling the mating surfaces of the proximal and distal portions of the outer housing shell; and

removing the instrument module from the cavity of the outer housing shell.

19. The method according toclaim 18, further comprising inserting the instrument module into the cavity of the outer housing shell subsequent to providing the outer housing shell having at least a sterilized outer surface such that the outer surface of the outer housing shell is sterile following insertion of the instrument module into the outer housing shell.

20. The method according toclaim 15, further comprising forming a fluid-tight seal between the outer housing shell and a drive shaft of the instrument module.

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